For Neither Can Live While the Other Survives

Chapter Seven

The Sorting

Disclaimer: Nothing you might recognise belongs to me.

Professor McGonagall pushed open the doors of the Great Hall and led the group of eleven year olds through the hall. The noise level immediately dropped except for the whispering going on as older students continued exchanging holiday news and the new students gaped at the large room.

"Line up please," instructed Professor McGonagall.

The first years shuffled into an orderly line facing the students. There were four long tables full of students dressed in black and nearly everybody lookedcheerful. The first years watched as Professor McGonagall placed a mouldy hat on a rickety stall and listened as it began to sing a song. Harry applauded hard at the end with the rest of the Hall.

"When I call your name, you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted," Professor McGonagall announced, "Abbot, Hannah."

Hannah scurried forwards and gingerly placed the hat on her head. After a brief period of time, the hat shouted, "HUFFLEPUFF!"

The Sorting continued. Harry knew exactly where he wanted to be placed. Gryffindor, the same house as his mother, father, Sirius and Remus.

"Longbottom, Neville," called Professor McGonagall.

Harry grinned briefly at his new friend who looked pale faced and was shaking.

"GRYFFINDOR!" said the hat.

Harry clapped as Neville walked over to the Gryffindor hat and sat next to a bushy haired girl and a couple of identical red haired boys who Harry supposed were Ron's twin brothers.

"Malfoy, Draco."

A blond boy crept out of the line and put on the hat. He looked friendly but had rather ragged clothes on.

"SLYTHERIN!" shouted the hat, after about a minute.

Harry blinked with disappointment. He would have liked to get to know that boy. Maybe, he'll still make friends during classes.

"Potter, Harry!"

Harry gulped and Ron patted him on the back. He walked slowly out of the line, towards Professor McGonagall who was looking at him with respect.

Why? thought Harry I don't know her. I can't have done anything to make her respect me!

Just before the hat dropped over his eyes, Harry saw the older students craning to get a look at him. They also had reverence and awe on their faces.

"Harry Potter," said a voice in his ear, "So nice to meet you at last. Shall we decide your house now?"

Yes please thought Harry.

"Hmm, I don't think it's at all difficult to place you. Your parents and god father will be pleased. GRYFFINDOR!"

Thank you said Harry, inside his head and took the hat off, grinning. He gave it back to Professor McGonagall who smiled at him. Ron gave him a thumbs up and Harry made his way to the Gryffindor table to a storm of applause.

"…Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak! Thank you!" finished Professor Dumbledore and suddenly the golden plates were filled with delicious food.

Harry helped himself and started to eat.

"Hey Harry," said a sandy haired boy, "I'm Seamus Finnigan."

Harry reached over to shake his hand. "Nice to meet you,"

"I'm Dean Thomas," said a black boy, on Seamus' other side,

"Hermione Granger," said the bushy haired girl, "I'm really pleased to meet you, Harry!"

"Thanks," said Harry, a little uncomfortably, "I don't mean to be rude but why?"

The others looked at him in amazement. "'Cause you killed Voldemort!" Seamus said,

"Yeah!" said Dean, "And you were only a year old!"

Harry grew hot in embarrassment and concentrated on his meal. Thankfully, the conversation turned to their families.

"I live with my mother, step father and three half brothers and sisters in London," said Dean, "My dad walked out when I was little and now I suppose he must have been magical,"

"Yeah, must be. Maybe you'll find him!" said Ron, in excitement.

Dean nodded and turned to Harry. "I heard you grew up with Sirius Black,"

"Yeah," said Harry, "He's my god father and my parents left instructions that I would live with him if they died,"

"Where did you live?" asked Seamus,

"In Muggle London," said Harry, "Sirius and Albus… erm, I mean Professor Dumbledore thought it would be best for me to grow up away from the Wizarding World. I still knew about it though,"

"Cool," nodded Seamus and everybody returned to their meals.

"Look! It's Harry Potter!" varying people whispered as Harry sat in the Gryffindor common room before he went to breakfast the next morning,

"I want his autograph!"

"I can't believe I'm really seeing him- you know the boy who killed Voldemort when he was only one year old!"

"He's my hero!"

Harry sat there staring at the fireplace, hot with embarrassment as he listened to the whisperers. He felt tears prick behind his eyelids and quickly got up. He ran to the Owlery and sat down on the straw. His owl, Hedwig fluttered down and landed on his shoulder. He grabbed a quill and a spare piece of parchment.

Hey Sirius,

I got sorted into Gryffindor, you'll be glad to know and I've made some friends which is good. But it's really hard 'cause everybody whispers behind me. I feel really upset. Why are they doing this? I hate it! I don't understand why they think I'm so good. I know I killed Voldemort but I don't know how! Please help me; I'm really confused and worried.

Love Harry

I know it's been over a year since I last updated this (sorry) but now I am going to finish it even though it's kind of out of date now. Thanks to kayee-kayee, Lolipop'sSchnookums, volleypickle16, Essence of Darkness, Cathy-Ann, Beansie, rockonman, CNJ and Liljean15690 who have reviewed this story so far. I have updated some of the earlier chapters but nothing is completely different.

Review please. Constructive criticism is gladly received.